England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland played the first championship in the 1882-1883 season.

England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland played the first championship in the 1882-1883 season. France joined in 1910 and Italy played their first game in 2000.

There were no matches between during the first world war (1915-19) and second world war (1940-46). The championships of 1883, 1885, 1888, 1889, 1897, 1888 and 1914 were not completed for various reasons.

In 1972, the championship wasn't completed when Scotland and Wales both refused to travel to Ireland because of internal security issues.

Prior to 1993 the championship could be shared but since 1994 points difference has been used to find the winner.

* Indicates a shared title

** five way tie for the championship

RECORDS

Most points in a season - England (229) in 2001.

Most tries in a season - England (29) in 2001.

Biggest victory - England 80 Italy 23 in 2001.

Most tries in a season - Cyril Lowe (8) for England in 1914 and Ian Smith (8) for Scotland in 1925.

Most tries in a match - Scotland (12) versus Wales in 1887.

Most individual points in a season - Jonny Wilkinson (89) for England in 2001.

Most individual points in a match - Jonny Wilkinson (35) against Italy in 2001.